Subgrade preparing, concrete distributing, and finishing machine



April 22, 1930. P. A. KCEHRINGU 1,755,653

SUBG'RADE PREPARING, CONCRETE DISTRIBUTING, AND FINISHING MACHINE FiledJuly 21, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet l Tia- 1 April 22, 1930.- P. A. KOEHRINGSUBGRADE PREPARING, CONCRETE DISTRIBUTING, AND FINISHING MACHINE FiledJuly 21. 1928 s Sheets-Sheet 2 April 22, 1930. P. A. KOEHRING 1,755,653

SUBQRADE PREPARING, CONCRETE DISTRIBUTING, AND FINISHING MACHINE 1 FiledJuly 21, 1928 s Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Apr. 22. 1930- UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE PHILIP A. KOEHRING, OI? MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TOKOEHRING COMPANY, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION SUBGRADEPREPARING, CONCRETE DISTRIBUTING, AND FINISHING MACHINEApplication-filed m 21, 1928. serial No. 294,553..

The art of roadbuilding is today receiving a large amount of attentionfrom engineers and inventors who-are making improvements following thetrend of simplifying to as great extent as possible the methods ofconstruction of concrete roads, and this invention is directed to theabove end. The conventiona1 practice today is to avail of a machine forfinishing or leveling the subgrade prior to 10 the depositing ofconcrete thereon, another machine is employed for mixing and depositingthe concrete on the surface, and still further instrumentalities arebrought into operation for finishing the concrete road. The universalcustom is to have these machines operate separately and independently ofone another." It is an object of thisinvention to provide road buildingmachinery of the class noted, in which the mixing plant, subgradefinishing means, concrete spreading instrumentalities, and roadfinishing devices are all combined and moved as a unit along thesubgrade in the construction of the road.

Inasmuch as the modern type of pavlng machine is of such constructionthat one end thereof must be accessible from trucks and other carriersemployed to charge the'loading ski-p thereof, it is an essential in acombined unitary assemblage, such as above described, that the subgradepreparing means follow the mixing lant in its movement along thesubgrade; ut it is just as much an essential that these preparing or,leveling means operate on the subgrade prior to the In order to meetthese conditions, I avail of concrete spreading instrumentalities, whichare somewhat removed from the mixing plant, together with suitabledevices for con- 40 veying the mixed concrete to the spreading vinstrumentalities. Interposed between these spreading instrumentalitiesand the mixing plant, are the subgrade finishing means, which maycomprise the usual scarifiers and scrapers or screeds. In the rear ofthe concrete spreadin instrumentalities, I position the road finishingdevices, which in this instance may comprise a properly shaped roller,together with its operating instrumentahties.

An assemblage of this type particularly depositing of the mixedaggregates thereon. p

adapts itself to the utilizing of its forward I movement for thespreading of the concrete, and for this reason, as well as others, suchas the simplicity and ease of operation, I avail of a transverse hopperconstruction as the concrete spreading instrumentality. Generallyspeaking, this ho per comprises a large receptacle having a wi e top anda comparatively restricted opening in the bottom thereof through whichthe concrete passes in being deposited on the road bed. Suitabletraction mounting for the hopper is necessarily provided. Inasmuch asthis hopper is spacedfrom the mixing plant, as hereinbefore noted, anessential feature of the invention lies in the means for carryingconcrete from the mixing drum to the distributing hopper.

In devising .a practical construction for carrying out this object,I'employ a telescoping chute which has one'end aflixed in a guide wayrunning along the hopper, while its other end is pivotally supportedbeneath the discharge chute of the mixing drum. Suitable operatinginstrumentalities are provided in the construction of the mixer forcausing oscillation of this telescopic conveying chute. The reason forthis oscillation is that proper functioning in discharging a hopper ofthis character is dependent on the even distribution of concretethroughout the'length there- 'of, and it is a particular object of thisinvention to provide suitable means for so depositing the preparedconcrete therein and to thisend the oscillating chute above noted hasbeen rovided. s5

Particular features of the invention reside in the. pivotal mounting ofthe conveying chute together with the operating instru-' mentalities forcausing the oscillation thereof, also in the mounting of'the end of thechute in the guide way along the hopper.-

Proper operation of the road finishing devices of the type employed inthis'instance, namely, the roller, entails the revolution thereof at aspeed faster than that which would naturally be engendered by rollingmovement of the roller along the road. It is therefore an object torovide suitable instrumentalities for rotating this rollerat therelative speed indicated. In carrying out 103 this thought, the rolleris freely mounted on wheels which move along the customary road rails.and has keyed thereto a sprocket which is driven by a chain that passesover a some-. what larger sprocket carried by a wheel also driven alongthe road rail. and which wheel is substantially of the same dimensionsas the wheel in which the finishing roller is mounted.

A- detail object in view is to arrange the finishing roller so that italso functions as a wiper for the discharge opening of the distributinghopper, and this is achieved by positioning this roller directly behindthe distributing hopper so that the face thereof substantially wipestherear of the hopper. In this manner the collection of any aggregatesaround the edge of the discharge opening is inhibited. A highlyimportant object of the invention is to provide subgrade finishingmeans, concrete spreading instrumentalities, and road finishing devicesof the character hereinbefore described, which maybe readily 'adap'tedand used in conjunction with. the

type of road paver now commonly in present In this connection, it isnoted that vogue.

all of these devices may readily be applied to modern road pavers withslight alteration to the latter. Practically speaking, they might besubstituted for the ordinary boom and bucket constructions.

With these and otherobjects in view, as

, will in part become apparent, and in part be hereinafter stated, theinvention comprises certain novel constructlons, arrangements andcombinations of parts, as will be subsequently specified and claimed.

For a full and more complete understand-' ing of the invention,reference may be had shown instrumentalities,

road finishing roller.

to the following description and accompanying drawi-ngs, in which igure1 is an end view of a'mixlng plant with the attachments provided by thisinvention applied thereto, the mixing plant being ragmentarily. Figure 2is'a plan view of the distributing 110 per together with the finishingroller.

. Flgure 3 is a section taken about on the line 33 of Figure 2, bringingout the construction and mode of operation of the concrete spreadinginstrumentalities as well as the Figure 4 is a detail illustration inSection of one end of the finishing roller together with theinstrumcntalitics for oscillating said conveying chute.

Figure-8 is a showing, somewhat diagrammatic of a modified form of theroad finishing roller.

While a preferred specific embodiment of the invention is herein setforth, it is to be understood I am not to be limited to the exaetconstructions, illustrated and described, because various modificationsof these details may be provided in putting the invention into practicewithin the purview of the appended claims.

A mixing plant such as heretofore usedwith paving machines of the typeshown by my Patent Reissue No. 13,617, issued September 16th, 1913, isindicated generally by the reference character A, and includes tractiondevices B, and a discharge chute C for the mixing drum, also aconstantly driven shaft designated 1. This shaft 1 is driven from thepower source of the mixer, (not shown). It is readily appreciable thatthe various devices provided and assembled by this invention areparticularly adapted for use with a known type of mixing plant.

The subgrade finishing means is referred to generally by the referencecharacter D and may include scarifying teeth shown at 2, and a screed orblade indicated at 3, and which members are properly included in theconstruction of a framework which moves along road rails designated E,on account of being supported by small wheels or rollers 4:. Thesubgrade finishing means D is-connected to the mixer A by suitable drawbar construction, such as indicated at 5, and is positioned directly inthe rear of the mixer.

The concrete spreading instrumentalities,

together with road finishing means, are denoted generally by thereference character F. They comprise a hopper-6, having a comparativelywide top and narrow bottom, in which is the discharge opening or slot 7.This hop- 1 per is supported at each end by side frame or bracketmembers 8, which are fastened to the hopper in any suitable mannersuchas by rivets, and which side members 8 include longitudinallyextending portions 9, which carry at each end smallw-heels or rollers 10that run along road rails E. The concrete spreadmg lnstrumentalities Fare connected with the mixer by a draw bar arrangement indicated at 11which, through the subgrade finishing means D disposes the mixer,subgrade finishing means, and'concrete spreading 'instrumentalities in aunitary relation so that they move together along thesubgrade.

road finishing roller 12, whichpreferably is of smaller diameter at itscenter than at itsextremities is keyed to a shaft 13 as shown at 14'.This shaft is freely mounted at each end in the wheels 10, and has keyedto its outer end a sprocket 15 of comparatively small diameter. Thewheels 10, which are removed from those'wheels 1 in which the shaft anddue to the difference in dimension ofthe sprockets 15 and 16, the roller12will be rotated at a peripheral speed greater than that which wouldordinarily be entailed by rolling movement -over the concrete.

his action causes a nicety in the finishing operations made b the rollerupon the concrete road. Attention is directedto Figure 3 wherein theroller isshown as positioned very close to the hopper 6 so that itfunc-.

. tions as a wiper for the rear of the discharge .opening thereof,preventing any accumulation of concrete thereabout.

The discharging hopper 6 receives ncrete from the discharge chute C ofthe m xer A through the medium of a conveying c ute G comprisingtelescopic sections 18 and 19. The

section 18 is in effect a distributing pan whichis pivotally mounted onbrackets 20, which .aresecured to the framework of the mixer A.

The under side of the distributing pan 18 is provided with a-circulargear 21 with which mesh pinions 22, carried by a shaft 23, which hasproper mounting in the brackets 20.

Clutch members 24 are slidably mounted on the shaft 23 and are adaptedto move into clutching engagement with the pinions 22 so as to clutcheither one of these pinions to the shaft. Arms 25 are attached to themein bers 24 and have at their ends projections 26, which are adapted tobe engaged by the fingers of a" clutch throwover arm 27, which isrotated coincident with rotation of the pan 18. A spring 28 has one endfastened to the throwover device 27 and its other end is made fast tothe bottom of the pan so that it holds the clutch members in either oftheir positions. The device 27 is integral with an arm 27 mounted on thelower face of the member 18. The shaft 23 has at one end a bevelled gear29 which is.in engagement with a complemental bevelled gear 30, that isdriven by a chain 31, passing over a pinion 32 operative integral withpivotal gear 30, and a second pinion 33 keyed to the constantly rotatingshaft 1.

'The operation of the foregoing construction for the oscillation of thechute is thought to be obvious. Briefly summing up, driving of thecircular gear 21 by one of the pinions 22 causes rotation in onedirection. while driving of the gear by the other pinioncauses rotationin the opposite direction. The clutch arrangement is such that only oneof these gears is operatively connected with the shaft 23 at thesame-time, and first one and then the other is brought into operation bythe clutch shifting devices comprising parts 25, 26, '27. 27 a and 28,which are operated by the rotation of the pan. It will swing in onedirection to a certain extent, w-liereu on the clutch is shifted so thatit swings ack 1n the opposite direction, whereupon the clutch is againshifted. In this manner the chute is constantly oscillated. v

Thesection 19 of the chute has an end member 34 telescopically connectedthereto, and

disposition of the chute end in the middle .of.

the hopper regardless of the angular relation of the distributing chutewith respect to the hopper 6. In one position the chute will beelongated, while in another it will be contracted. I i

The mixing plant A discharges prepared concrete through the dischargechute C onto the conveying chute G, which member evenly deposits themixed concrete in the hopper 6 from oncend to the other. This hopper 6extends transversely across the entire width of the road, and coincidentwith forward movement of the entire assemblage, spreads the concretethrough the opening 7 onto the subgrade which has been properly preparedfor the reception of aggregates by the subgrade finishing means D. Theroller 12 finishes the road by its rotation due to its driving means.Any irregularities or unevenness are accommodated by the telescopicchute G.

The roller 12 may be of sectional con-- struction as indicated in Figure8. This construction facilitates the handling of the the varioussections are interlocked together by detachable connections.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent ofthe United States is 1. In road buildingapparatus of the class described, the combination with ;.a mixing plant,of instrumentalities for depositing and spreading concrete on asubgrade, and

means for finishing the surface of .the subade and interposed betweenthe mixing plant and the spreading instrunientalities,

said instrumentalities and means being simultaneously operable toperform their respective functions. while continuously moving along theroadbed.

,2. In road building machinery of the class described, the combinationwith ai'mixer, of subgrade finishing means. connections be tween saidsubgrade finishing means and the mixer, concrete spreadinginstrumentalities connected to the subg'radefinishing means,

and a road finishing device associated with mentalities and the mixingplant, and means vfor conveying concrete from the mixing planttothespreading instrumentalities, said last named means extendmgover thesubgrade finishing meansand comprlsmg an extensible chute.

5. Road building machinery of the class described, comprising incombination, a portable mixing plant, a distributing hopper adapted toextend transversely across a road to be built. subgrade finishing meansinter posed between the discharging hopper and the mixing'plant. andmeans for conveying prepared concrete from the mixing plant to thedischarging hopper, said means also functioning to distribute theconcrete evenly throughout the distributing hopper.

6. Road building machinery of the class described, comprising. incombination, a portable mixing plant, concrete spreadinginstrumentalities, an oscillating chute for conveying prepared concretefrom the mixing plant to the spreading instrumentalities', and means forautomatically oscillating said .=chute. v

7 Road buildin apparatus of the class described, comprising, incombination, subgrade finishing means, concrete spreadinginstrumentahtles, a road finlshlng roller, and

means for connecting the spreading instrumentalities with the subgradefinishing V means.-said roller being associated with the tributinghopper adapted to extend trans-" spreading instrumentalities andfunctioning as a wiper thereforj 8. Itoad'building machinery of theclass described, comprising, 1n combination, a dis versely across aroad, said hopper having a discharge opening at thebott'om thereof, and

a finishing roller associated with the hopper andpositioned so that itfunctions as a wlper for one side of the discharge opening.

9. Roadbuilding machinery of the class described, comprising, incombination, a portable mixing plant, a. distributing .hopper 'portablymounted and connected with the mixing plant, means for conveyiggconcrete from the mixing plant to' the: hopper, said hopper having adischarge opening at the 'bottomthereof for permitting concrete to .passonto the surface of a subgrade, afinishing roller positioned adjacent toone side of the discharge opening, and means for rotating the finishingroller at a speed greater than that at which-it would ordinarily rotatedue to rolling movement.

10. Apparatus of the class described, comprising, in combination,aportable mixing plant, spreading instrumentalities, an oscillatingconveyor chute for conveymg concrete'from the mixing plant to thespreading instrumentalities, and gear and clutch mechanisms for causingautomatic oscillation of the chute.

11. In road building machinery of the class described, the combination,with a mixer, of

a conveying chute having one end pivotally mounted on the mixer beneaththe discharge chute of the latter, a ring gear on said conveyor chute,pinions included in the construction of the paver and in engagement withthe ring gear, one of said pinions being adapted to swing the chute inone direction,

the other pinion being adapted to swing the chute in the o positedirection. and clutch means for clutc ing either one of the pinions to adriving means.

12. In road building machinery of the class described, the combinationwith a portable mixing plant, of a distributing hopper spaced therefrom,and a telescopic conveying chute for conveying concrete from the mixingplant to the distributing hopper and pivotally mounted in the mixingplant.

13. In concrete road building apparatus of the class described. thecombination with a mixer havinga discharge chute, of a distributinghopper for spreading concrete aggregates on a subgrade surface, atelescopic conveying chute for conveying concrete from the dischargechute to the distributing hopper, means connecting one' end of thedischarging chute with the'distributing hopper by permitting a' movementof the end of the chute along the hopper and a pivotal mounting for theother end of the chute on the mixer.

14. Road building apparatus of the class described, comprising, incombination, subgrade finishing means, concrete spreadinginstrumentalities, a road finishing roller, and means for connecting thespreading instrumentalities with the subgrade finishing means,saidroller beingof sectional construction to facilitate its handling.

15. Road building machineryof the class ,ins trumentalities extendingacross a width of the road for distributingand spreading concretethereon, and means for conveying concrete the mixing plant to thespreading instrumentalities, said conveying means being extensiblepermitting the same to deposit prepared concrete at any point along thelen th of the spreading instrumentalities.

16. bad building apparatus of the class described, comprising, incombination, a' portable mixing plant, a distributing and spreadinghopper extending transversely across the road which is beingconstructed, 10 said hopper being removed from th, mixing plant, andextensible means between the mixing plant and hopper for conveyingconcrete from the former to the latter, said means being adapted todeliver concrete at any point 15 along the ho per.

17. Road uilding apparatus of the class described, -compris1ng, incombination, a portable mixing plant, a distributing and spreadinghopper extending transversel across the road which is being constructe

